Today in funding ($400,000): MadLipz, Parlay

Two Canadian startups have announced fresh funding rounds to fuel their growth. Here’s the latest on who raised how much, and from whom.

Voiceover platform MadLipz raises undisclosed funding round

Toronto-based MadLipz, a platform that allows users to create and share instant voiceovers, has raised an undisclosed funding round from the Canadian Film Centre and a group of undisclosed New York City-based angel investors.

MadLipz has developed a social platform that allows users to make instant voiceover parodies and share them with others. Users can also interact with their fans through the platform, which is available on Android and iOS.

In 2016, MadLipz participated in IDEABOOST, an accelerator that aims to support startups building technology-based media and entertainment products and services. MadLipz is currently used in 83 countries, and the company is currently working on its monetization strategy.

Edtech platform Parlay raises $400,000 in pre-seed funding

Toronto-based Parlay, which has developed an edtech platform for teachers, has raised $400,000 in pre-seed funding.

Parlay has developed an edtech platform that aims to help teachers facilitate inclusive discussions with students. The platform also allows teachers to measure and understand student engagement and learning during in-class and online discussions.

In September, Parlay will launch Parlay Universe, a free and open content sharing platform that will give teachers access to a library of discussion prompts for various subjects and discussion topics that connect education to the real world.

In a blog post, Parlay said it plans to expand into districts and school boards across Canada and the US, grow its user base tenfold, grow its team, and continue expanding its content sharing network.

“Our team is excited for the next stage of growth. Our goal is, and will continue to be supporting teachers with facilitating meaningful, rich and inclusive discussions in the classroom,” Parlay writes. “Our energy is high and we’re ready for the next big step in our journey to achieving our mission of inspiring powerful minds through meaningful, measurable and inclusive discussions.”

Amira Zubairi is a staff writer at BetaKit. As a fourth-year journalism student who has written primarily about entrepreneurship, Amira has developed a growing interest in Canadian startup, business, and tech news. In her free time, Amira enjoys reading, baking and watching legal shows.